After taking office as Finance Minister, Chu Mo rapidly shifted the flow of the economic ecosystem within the Royal City and the entire Angel Nebula.
Unlike his predecessor, he made no attempt to advise against or limit Hua Ye's extravagance. Instead, he went to extreme lengths to satisfy every whim, no matter how absurd.
Hua Ye wanted to build palaces? Chu Mo proactively increased the budget and suggested even more lavish designs.
Hua Ye wanted exotic toys and alien beauties? Chu Mo immediately mobilized his commercial networks and shadow agents to scour the universe, regardless of cost, sending a steady stream of tributes into the palace.
Hua Ye wanted to host unprecedentedly grand banquets? Chu Mo provided dazzling plans and more than enough funding.
Hua Ye was beyond satisfied with this efficiency. Soon, he handed over the financial reins completely. Once, in the middle of a drunken revelry, he patted Chu Mo on the shoulder and told his attendants: "See that? This is a true capable official! Those old fossils before only knew how to cry poverty to me. Old Chu is different—he can conjure money out of thin air!"
What Chu Mo wanted was exactly this: Hua Ye's trust and a hands-off approach. He then began a series of sweeping reforms.
His first major move was to drastically slash various taxes on merchants, especially targeting emerging industries and cross-star-system trade. Simultaneously, he simplified business registration and cleared out a slew of regulations that had long been used to extort traders.
When the decree went out, the Royal City's business world shook! For a long time, while the Angel civilization was powerful, commercial activity had been strictly controlled and heavily taxed. Chu Mo's new rules were like rain after a long drought.
"Lord Chu is like a second father to us merchants!"
"It should have been done this way long ago! Following Lord Chu gives us a real future!"
Small and large merchants alike spread the news, nearly placing Chu Mo on a pedestal. The word spread to other prosperous planets in the nebula; ambitious merchants flocked to the Royal City, bringing capital, technology, and connections.
Chu Mo keenly seized this trend. He spearheaded the formation of a new commercial alliance with the most powerful merchant houses in the city, officially naming it the "One Heart Society." Its public slogan was: "Serving King Hua Ye with one heart, working for the prosperity of the Angel civilization."
At the inaugural meeting, Chu Mo delivered a speech as the first President. After praising Hua Ye's "brilliant leadership," he dropped the core operating model of the One Heart Society:
"Gentlemen! The King shows mercy to us by reducing taxes—this is a vast heavenly grace! However, the King and the Royal Family have great works to undertake and many expenses to cover. Our One Heart Society is the bridge between the King and the merchants!"
He looked around at the excited crowd, his voice clear and powerful. "From today on, the One Heart Society will represent you in taking on procurement, construction, and development projects from the Royal Family, the Legions, and various departments! From repairing palace gardens to supplying military materials and exploring resources in remote star systems... the projects are numerous, and the profits are thick!"
The crowd erupted in a buzz of excitement. Chu Mo gestured for silence and continued. "However, we provide the capital, share the risks, and share the profits! All projects taken by the One Heart Society will follow a seventy-thirty split of net profit! The Royal Family takes seventy percent, and the participating merchants share the remaining thirty percent!"
Under normal circumstances, merchants would find this split harsh. But now, with heavy taxes removed and the "Royal Merchant" gold-standard protection, that thirty percent was incredibly enticing. Furthermore, Chu Mo's next terms sealed the deal:
"All members of the One Heart Society enjoy priority passage and security on major trade routes! You enjoy priority qualification for Royal franchised projects!"
Security! Status! Stable profits and a bright future! Almost without hesitation, the wealthy magnates scrambled to join.
The "One Heart Society" became a fueled engine, showing incredible energy. Under Chu Mo's coordination, new enterprises, workshops, and shops sprouted everywhere:
Entertainment & Dining: High-end restaurants, theaters, arenas, and private clubs catered to the new elite and the newly wealthy male angels.
Manufacturing: Ornate clothing, novel furniture, and convenient daily necessities.
Resources & Materials: Using the "Royal Merchant" status, caravans mined and traded rare minerals and energy crystals. Besides fulfilling government orders, they traded at high prices on the open market.
This prosperity created a snowball effect. More businesses meant more employment—and while female angels were still mostly in low-end service roles, opportunities increased. Even though tax rates were lower, the tax base expanded dozens of times over. The total revenue flowing into the Royal Treasury didn't drop; it climbed at a staggering speed.
But the biggest profits flowed into Chu Mo's hands.
The seventy percent profit from Royal projects went into the treasury, yes—but the raw materials, labor, and technical services were often sourced from Chu Mo's own enterprises. The money in the treasury went in through the left hand and, when purchasing the treasures and beauties Hua Ye demanded, a significant portion flowed right back into Chu Mo's pocket.
He controlled the procurement channels and the pricing power. He was making a fortune.
The treasury was full, Hua Ye was satisfied, and the merchants were grateful. Power, wealth, and fame—all were held in Chu Mo's grasp.
Su Mari's investigation never ceased. He sensed that Chu Mo's power was expanding too fast, threatening certain balances.
But Chu Mo's actions were too meticulous. Every operation was within the framework of the One Heart Society's cooperation with the Royal Family. Everything was legal, and the profit distribution was written in black and white. Hua Ye was more than pleased.
"Let you be proud for a while longer," Su Mari whispered coldly to an empty room. "The higher you climb, the harder you fall. The King's favors change like the wind. And... wealth itself is sometimes a sin."